Give me sunshine: David Cameron considers double summertime

David Cameron once declared: "Let sunshine win the day." Putting those
words into action today, he agreed to consider plans to move Britain’s
clocks forward by an hour, giving the country permanent summertime.

David Cameron addresses British tourism industry leaders at the Serpentine Gallery, LondonPhoto: PA

Venturing into one of the longest-running and most contentious debates in British politics, the Prime Minister promised to look at “double summertime” proposals due to be debated in the Commons later this year.

The plan, which would mean lighter evenings but darker mornings, is being backed by Conservative MPs, road safety campaigners and environmentalists.

Rebecca Harris, a Conservative backbencher, has tabled a bill asking the Government to “conduct a cross-departmental analysis of the potential costs and benefits of advancing time by one hour for all, or part of, the year.”

That could mean putting the clocks forward by two hours in summer for a “double summertime” effect.

Alternatively, the British time zone could be permanently brought forward in both winter and summer, putting the country in the same time zone as most of continental Europe.

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Any change would mean lighter evenings, with sunset in midsummer put back to after 10pm in many parts of the country.

However, it would mean darker mornings, especially in Scotland, where many people are strongly opposed.

The English tourism industry says the change in timezone would boost tourism. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, which estimates that lighter evenings could save hundreds of lives a year by reducing the number of evening traffic accidents.

And some environmental groups are also in favour, arguing that it would mean less use of electric lights and reduce Britain’s carbon emissions.

However, the move is strongly resisted in Scotland, where it would mean that in winter, the sun would not rise until almost 10am.

Mr Cameron challenged to support the bill after delivering a speech in London promising to boost British tourism, and signalled he was willing to consider the switch.

“We certainly will look at it,” the Prime Minister said. “The argument will be won when people across the country feel comfortable with the change.”

He added: “It's up to those who want to make the change to make the argument to try to convince people right across the country that it's a good thing. People who like taking part in sporting activity and would like longer days are already quite easy to sway. That's the key to winning this argument.”

Ms Harris’s Private Member’s Bill is the latest in a string of attempts to change the time zone in Parliament.

Due to face a decisive Commons vote in December, it is backed by MPs including Zac Goldsmith, the millionaire Conservative environmentalist, and Frank Field, the former Labour welfare minister.

It also supported by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, which estimates that lighter evenings could save hundreds of lives a year by reducing the number of evening traffic accidents.

Daniel Vockins of Lighter Later, an umbrella group calling for the change in time zone, said Mr Cameron’s comments would boost the campaign.

“The campaign to change the clocks hasn't had this much momentum in decades – everything is lining-up ahead of the vote,” he said. “The time is right for a change.”

Without Government backing, Ms Harris’ Bill will fail, and Government sources said that despite Mr Cameron’s words, there is no guarantee of support for the move.

Many larger countries, such as the US and Russia, have multiple time zones for their different regions.

Despite taking power at Westminster, the Conservatives remain weak in Scotland, and have only one MP north of the Border. Some Tory MPs say England should make the change alone, putting Scotland in a different timezone.

However, Mr Cameron insisted that any change in summer time rules would have to be enacted in all parts of Britain. “We are a United Kingdom. I want us to have a united time zone,” he said.